JD(S) suffers factionalism in main bastion of old Mysuru region

The JD(S), which has a strong presence only in the old Mysuru region, is hit badly, in its main bastion, due to factionalism.

The public display of one-upmanship by former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and Chamundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda in the election to Mysore District Co-Operative Milk Producers' Societies Union ((MyMUL) on March 16, has the party workers worried. Meanwhile, KR Nagar MLA Sa Ra Mahesh tried to project that nothing is amiss between him and Devegowda.

The party, which was in a celebratory mood on February 24, when its corporator Rukmini Madegowda was elected as Mayor, is in no mood for a celebration, even though supporters of its MLA Devegowda swept the election in MyMUL.

A senior leader of JD(S) in Mysuru said, "Even in Gram Panchayat elections, held in December 2020, the party fared well. Even in the Mayor election, Kumaraswamy did a good bargain, by wresting the coveted post for the party, contrary to the agreement entered with the Congress in 2018."

"Devegowda’s displeasure with Kumaraswamy and Mahesh is not a secret. Even ordinary party workers know that Kumaraswamy favours Mahesh over Devegowda, for various reasons. Kumaraswamy need not sideline Mahesh, but he should not neglect Devegowda, a veteran and a shrewd strategist,” the leader said.

Another senior leader said, “We align with both the Congress and the BJP, depending on the benefits. Thus, we need to maintain a cordial relationship with both parties and their leaders. Our rivalry should be limited to elections. That too, in Mysuru region, we need to be careful, as this is where we can perform. Our defeat in Mandya Lok Sabha election in 2019 should have been a good lesson."

"In the 2018 Assembly election, we did well in the Mysuru region because Siddaramaiah attacked Kumaraswamy and also party supremo H D Deve Gowda personally. Similarly, we lost in Mandya Lok Sabha as our leaders attacked MP Sumalatha and her supporters personally. Thus, it is proved that personal attacks are fatal.”

Pointing out that Kumaraswamy recently declared that Devegowda would not be allowed to return to the party fold, till he is there, an office-bearer of the JD(S) in Mysuru said that Devegowda is an asset for any party.

“Devegowda is connected with his voters in Chamundeshwari as well as Hunsur Assembly segments. He was a strength for the BJP, for some time. Even now, he has good relationship with the BJP leaders. Now, there are talks that he would partner with Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah and join the Congress. By making negative and adverse comments, we are losing a dependable leader. But, Devegowda has not spoken ill about either Kumaraswamy or H D Deve Gowda. He is only opposing the priority accorded to Mahesh,” the office-bearer said.